Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design, empowering industry professionals and their clients with all-in-one project management and design software, released the findings of their annual UK Houzz & Home Study, and it shows a major jump in renovation investment, with median renovation spend climbing to £21,400 in 2024 – a 26% year-on-year increase.
Renovation activity also remains strong, with the report finding that more than half of homeowners renovated in 2024 (51%) and almost half are planning projects for 2025 (49%).
“While rising costs for goods and services are influencing renovation spend, activity remains stable,” said Marine Sargsyan, staff economist at Houzz. “With almost half of homeowners planning renovations, it suggests that the need to update ageing housing stock continues to fuel demand for home improvements.”
Ageing housing stock certainly seems to be driving demand, with the report finding that 53% of renovating homeowners reside in homes built in 1940 or earlier. Houzz found that nearly 2 in 5 homeowners undertook home repairs (39%) in 2024, and of those who renovated, more than 2 in 5 homeowners upgraded heating systems, closely followed by plumbing and electrical (43%, 42% and 39%)
Other highlights from the report:
- Strong Demand for Home Improvement Pros: Professional hiring is widespread across all project types and sizes, with more than 9 in 10 homeowners (94%) choosing to work with a pro. Speciality service providers such as electricians (59%) and plumbers (56%) were the most commonly hired.
- Long-term Commitment to Our Homes: Renovating homeowners are committed to living in their homes long-term, with 3 in 5 planning to stay put for at least 11 years following their project (61%). Pent-up demand continues to be the strongest motivator for home upgrades, with renovating homeowners reporting they finally have the financial means and time to pursue a renovation (36% and 33%, respectively).
- Funding Sources: The majority of renovating homeowners rely on savings to fund their renovations (83%), followed by proceeds from a previous house sale (20%) and credit cards (13%). The use of gifts or inheritance saw a modest increase, rising to 12% from 9% in 2023, while the use of credit cards fell 5 percentage points (18% in 2023).
- Entrances in the Spotlight: Upgrades to entrances saw a slight increase year on year. Nearly a third decorated their existing entrance or mudroom (32%), nearly a quarter renovated or upgraded (24%), and 7% added or extended their entrance (compared to 29%, 20%, and 4% respectively in 2023).
- Outdoor Projects Offer Aesthetic and Functional Improvements: Half of renovating homeowners enhanced their outdoor spaces in 2024 (50%). While aesthetic improvements are common, many homeowners are also making functional upgrades. The most frequently tackled projects include work on beds and borders (29%), lighting systems (23%) and security systems (16%). Additionally, renovating homeowners are investing in hardscape and structural features, with sheds and workshops the most common outdoor structure project (17%), followed by gazebos or pergolas (11%) and decks (9%). Although built-in outdoor kitchens remain a niche feature (3%), their popularity has shown a slight uptick from 2% in 2023.
The Houzz & Home Study
The annual UK Houzz & Home Study is the largest survey of residential renovation, building and decorating activity published. The survey covers a wide range of renovation projects in 2024, from interior renovations and extensions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects. Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2025. The 2025 study includes more than 1,000 respondents in the UK alone, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the millions of users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.
The 2025 UK Houzz & Home survey was sent to registered users of Houzz and fielded in March-April 2025.
The full report is available here.
Feature image by Ana Krach from Pixabay
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